Printing machine



July 1, 1930. J. E. JOHNSON PRINTING MACHINE AFilled Feb. 5, 1927 llSheets-Sheet 1 July 1, 1930. '.1. E. JoHNsoN PRINTING MACHINEA 11Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1927 11 ,Sheetsf-Sheet 3 lllllllll l.

July 1, 1930. J. E. JoHNsoN PRINTING MACHINE med Feb. 5, 1927 wl *y July1, 1930. g, E, JOHNSN 1,769,138

PRINTING uAcHINE 11.SheetS-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 5, 1927 July 1, 1930. J.E. JOHNSON v 1,769,138

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5. 1927 uisheets-sheet 5 July l', 1930. .1.E. JOHNSON' PRINTING' MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1927 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 July1, 1930. .1.a JOHNSON PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1927 llsheets-SheetT July 1, 1930. J. E. JOHNSON 1,769,138

PRINTING MACHINE Filed'Feb. 5l 1927 11 sheets-sheet 8 July 1, 1930.

. l J. E. .JoHNsoN PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5. 1927 1l Sheets-Sheet 9'MI-Wmw M1 @25.

I July l, 1930f J. E. JOHNSON 1,769,138

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PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5. 1927 11 sheets-sheet 11 ffl 225 :M2/3 2/2777 www" js'rarss `UNH'I'E Mean PATENT oi-Fie JOI-IN E. JOHNSON, OFCHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T SPEEDAUMAT MANUFACTUR- IN G COMPANY, 0FCHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE Application filed February 5, 1927. SerialNo.r166,0'51.

rl`his invention relates to printing machines7 particularly to machinesfor printing successively changing printing matter such, for example, asnam-es and addresses; and aims to provide al simple and improved machineof this character.

The invention may be readily understood by reference to one apparatusembodying the invention and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings: i

Fig. 1 is a .plan view of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the' line 3*8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section of a detail of the mechanism taken alongline 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of an ink supplying mechanism. i

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation thereof, taken approximately along theline 7-7 of Fig. 6.

F ig. 8 is a plan view of the mechanismfor repeating any desiredprinting operation.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 10 is a plan View of the mechanism for counting the number ofimpressions. i

Fig. 11 is an elevation vof the mechanism for altering the predeterminedsequence `of printing impressions by skipping any desired printingplate.

F ig..12 is a bottom plan view thereof. y l

Fig. 13 is a plan View of the mechanism for automatically printing apredetermined number oftimes from each printing plate. Fig. 14 is a sideelevation thereo Fig. 15 is an elevation of an element which determinesthe number of impressions made from each plate.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of a device for automatically recording on asingle sheet or strip a succession of printed impressions.

Fig. 17 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 18 is a perspective of a device for guiding or positioning thesheet on which the impression is made. Y

Fig. 19 is a plan view of a device for automatically winding a strip orthe like bearing the succession. of printed impressions.

Fig. 20 is an elevation thereof.

- Fig. 21 isa side elevation thereof, showing alsol a side elevation ofa device for rewinding the strip to reverse the order'ofprintedvimpressions (as the roll is unwound) to correspond with theorder in which they were made by the machine. v Y

' Fig. 22 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21showing details of the clutch mechanism for winding the strip;

And Fig. 23 is a plan view of the rewinding device.

The present embodiment of the invention is designed so that it mayselectively perform, if desired, a variety of operations. That is, themachine may be equipped to perform at will operations other than simplyprinting' from successively changing printing. plates. For example,depending upon the requirements of the purchaser, the machine may beequipped to perform some or all of thek following operations :printingdirectly from the printing characters instead of through an interposedribbon or other printing medium, thereby securing anv extremely clearand clean cut impression; printing at will more than one time from agiven 'printing plate, thereby interrupting temporarily the successiveprinting from successive plates; printing automatically a predeterminednumber of times (more than a single time) from each of a succession ofprinting plates; skipping any desired plate or plates in the successionof printing operations; recording a selected series of impressionssuccessively and in predeterf mined position on avsingle sheetor'thelike;

the purchaser may require, thereby reducing sales resistance because thepurchaser appreciates that he is paying only for what he wants and notalso for mechanisms or capacities which he does not want and does notneed,

` but which if they were on the machine, would require a substantialincrease in purccase price. At the same time the purchaser has theassurance that when he buys a machine for performing certain operations,such machine is not rendered obsolete (with a resultant loss) should itdevelop that a machine for performing other or additional operations isessential. The only outlay to remedy such a situation, is the purchaseprice for the ad* ditional accessory mechanisms which may be applied tothe machine at any time by the user and without the exercise of specialskill.

The illustrative machine particularly suits the needs of the small userin that it isarranged for manual operation. Where the machine is givenrelatively greater or more continuous use it may readily be operated bypower with a simple manual control. The base 10 is in this instance acasting of rectanular box-like shape with its open side down (Figs.1-4). Its size is such that it may be readily handled and may be placedon a table or desk for convenient operation.V For this purpose therubber cushions 11 are placed at the corners for protection of thesurface on which the machine rests. A large part of the mechanism of themachine is advantageously placed Within the hollow space 12 of the base.

, Impressions are made in this instance by a movable, hand operatedplaten 13 of a slightly resilient material such as hard rubber which iscarried in a platen holder 14. The platen supporting arm 15 is mountedfor movement on a shaft 16 supported in bearings 17 at the rear edge ofthe base (and in this instance cast integral with the base). The platensupporting end of the arm 15 is offset relative to its other end (seeFig. 1) to provide a clear space to the rear of the platen for thepassage of a long sheet or the like upon which impressions are made. Thelower end 18 of arm 15 is advantageously cast integrally with a curvedshield 19 extending longitudinally of and covering the shaft from above.At its ends 20 the shield is provided with bearing openings throughwhich shaft 16 passes.r A set screw passing through one of the ends 2Oserves to secure the impression arm non-rotatably on shaft 16. TheVplaten and its supporting arm 15 is normally resiliently held 1n anelevated position by spring 21 attached at one end to a pin 22 whichprojects from the inner side of end 20 and at its other end to pin 23which projects from and is carried by the rear side of b'ase 10.

The upper surface 24 of base 10 is appropriately recessed as at 25 toprovide a stationary platen to cooperate with platen 13 in makingimpressions. The longitudinal sides 26 a set screw The printing plates27 are advantageously alike in dimensions and construction, difieringonly in the printing data thereon. Each printing device advantageouslycon'iprises a plate of metal sufficiently ductile and malleable that itmay be embossed (and reimbossed if need be to correct errors or makechanges) to provide in relief, clear and sharp printing characters, thatis characters which will print clearly and sharply. The obverse orintaglio side of the plates exhibits the characters in normal order sothat the data maybe read easily. The long sides of the plate carryreinforcement in the form of longitudinal ribs 28 and marginal iinishingbeads 29, the plate with round and straight edges. The marginalreinforcement prevents the bending of the relatively soft metal of thetoken and preserves it in the flat condition desirable when impressionsare made therefrom.

The platen recess 25 and its sides 26 are in this instanceadvantageously extended to form a longitudinal groove or track 30running across the top 24 of the base from one side to the other,forming a channel or guide along which a succession of printing platesmay be moved to and passed from the platen or printing position. Thebottom of the track 30 is, in this instance, provided with a relativelythin metal strip 31, sufficiently narrower than the width of the trackto provide longitudinal grooves 32 at the sides of the track wherein thebeads 29 of the printing plates may travel. Metal gibs or strips 83 areplaced along the sides of the track with their edges extending slightlyover the track to lie above the edges of the printing plates andpreferably closely ad `acent the outer edges of plate beads 28. hus,while the plates are freely slidable in the track (when right side up)they are held against any substantial lateral movement or upwarddisplacement by the grooves 32 and gibs 33. The strip 31 and gibs 32also prevent the insertion into the track way of a plate in invertedposition. The opposite ends of the strip 31 are advantageously curvedslightly to lie normally a slight distance above the bottom of the trackand thereby exert a slight friction or drag against the endmost platesto hold the succession of plates in the track in endwise contact toinsure accurate location of the successive plates in printing position.

The surface of the platen is adjusted into parallelism with the printingsurface of the plate at the time ,the impression is made, by what is ineect a three point support comprising in this instance a pair of rods 34and 35. The rods are secured to the platen holder 14 and pass intoopenings latter serving to provide the lil() lll) (slightly larger thanthe diameterof the rods themselves) in the arm y15. The oversizeopenings in arm 15 permit a sufficient longitudinal tilting of theplatento make any desired adjustment which is effected by screw plugs 36threaded into arm 15Jand bearing against the ends of rods 34. Atransverse adjustment of the platen is effected by the screw whichlikewise is screwed through supporting arm 15. The position of screw 35relative to rods 34 determines the transverse adjustmentof the platen.The platen holder 14 is held against its adjustable three point supportby a thumb screw 37 which passes freely through arm 15 and screws intothe back of platen holder 14. Beside the above named function, screw 37also provides a bodily vertical adjustment of the platen holder.V

In the present case the printing plates 27 are successively fed intoprinting or impression positionby periodic movements, each of whichadvances the rowV or column of abutting plates through a distance equalto the length of one plate. `This is advantageously effected simply by amoving force exerted upon one'end of the row of plates (in thiskinstancethe right hand end as viewed from the front of the machine-see Fig. 1).F or this purpose the present machine is provided with a reciprocatingslide or cross-head 38 traveling in alignment with the row of plates atthe right hand end of track 30. The slide 38 is supported for`reciprocation between guides 39 in a bracket 40 which in thisinstanceis integral withv and projects beyond the end of base 10.

The means for supplying the succession of plates is herein representedby a vertical rack or galley 41 supported at its back by an integralbracket 40 just above the normal position of slide 38. Rack 41 isadvantageously partly open (as at 42) along its front side to facilitatethe insertion of a stack of plates therein, strips 43 serving as plateretaining members. wWhen slide 38 is moved entirely out of the areaoccupied by the stack of plates, the lowermost plate will drop into theposition normally occupied by the slide and in longitudinal alignmenttherewith and with the plate track. On its return the slide engages thelower plate (thus positioned) and advances it into track 30. In thepresent case the slide 38 is retracted vto the right to effect the abovedescribed operationp A plate 44 covers the slide-wayiandguides in thisregion, particularly to avoid injury to users and to protect and keepforeign articlesout of the guideway.

By periodic reciprocations of the slide, the plates may be fedsuccessively lfrom the rack into the plate track, the rear plateadvancing the column-of plates.

The lslide 38 is in this instance reciprocated by connecting rod 46`pivotedV adjacent its end to a cross pin in the slide 38. Theperforated lug 47 on the rod which is thus pivoted7 is adjustablysecured to the connecting rod 46 by nuts 48 screwed to the threaded endof the connecting rod and lying on opposite sides of the lug. Theextreme positions' of the slide may thereby be adjusted relative to theconnecting rod, the latter havingv in this instance a definite amplitudeof reciprocation.

The slide actuating ymechanism is herein represented by rock shaft 49,the rock arm 50 of which is pivotally connected to the bearing 51 at theend of connecting rod 46. The rock shaft is advantageously` 'rocked backand forth once for each upward movement of the impression arm 15,thereby effecting a change of printing plates in printing position foreachimpression of the impression arm.

For Vaccurately locating a plate in printing position for eachreciprocation of the plate slide, the distance between the vpoint 52 ofextreme advanceof the slide and the vedge 53 ofthe printing position isan exact multiple (or substantially so) of the length of a Vprintingplate. Necessary adjustment of this distance may be eected by shiftingthe slide connecting lug 47 longitudinally of the e011-, necting rod 46by means of the adjusting nuts 48.

F or synchronizing the movement of the plate slide with the movement ofthe impression arm, means represented by the reciprocating rack 54 areemployed for transmitting movement from the impression arm to the rockshaft 49. The lower end ofrack 54 meshes with gear segment 55 adjustablyfastened to rock shaft 49. The upper end 56 of rack 54 is less indiameterthan the lower cylindrical portion of the rack, therebyproviding a shoulder 57 (which serves as a stop against. the basecasting) to limit one extremity ofthe travel of the rack andconsequently that of the s-lide 38 (Fig. 5). A spring 58 connected atone end to the base 10 (at 59) and the other end to a pin 60 projectingfrom the bearing 51 on the connecting rod actuates the slide to advancethe plate column, whereby the mechanism and plates are protected frominjury in the event a plate became jammed for one reason or another.This actuation also insures the complete `advance of the slideregardless of lost motion in the mechanism, through wear or otherwise.

ln the present instance rock arm 5() and gea-r segment 55 are secured inproperly adjusted position on rock shaft 49 by means of set screws 61and 62.

The plunger rack 56 is periodically actuated, in this machine, by aprojection 63 carried on and moved by the impression arm and arranged tostrike and depress the plunger 56,`when the arm is lowered to impressionposition, thereby moving the plate slide 38 to the right to permit thebottom plate to drop down into alignment with the plate track llt) ,supply surfaces.

into which it is moved as above described upon the lifting of theimpression arm.

After .they pass the impression position, the plates drop successivelyinto a chute or receiver 64 (in this instance formed integral with thebase casting), the upper end of which terminates flush with the platetrack. The front of the receiver 64 is open except for a marginal plate65 which holds the plates in stacked condition. The receiver bottomplate 66 is cut away (as at (i7) to provide a linger opening so that astack of plates may be readily lifted out of the receiver.

The ink supply means is represented in the present case by an inkedribbon G8 which is interposed in printing position between the printingplate and the movable platen l5. A shield 69 covers the ribbon, exceptin the region where the impression is made, to protect the articles onwhich the impression is made from harmful contact with the ribbon. Inthe present case the leading end of the shield is. flanged and enters aslot 70 in the base casting to hold the shield in place. The shield iscut away to provide an opening 71 y(approximately coextensive with theprinting areas of the plate) the longitudinal edges of which areslightly elevated to hold the sheet from contact with the ribbon orplates (as the case may be) prior to impression.

The ribbon G8 is advantageously of substantial length whereby it may beshifted from time to time to expose different inl; An automatic shiftingof such ribbon is effected herein by automatically unwinding the ribbonfrom one spool 72 and winding it simultaneously upon another spool 73.These spools are mounted in the present case upon a removable bracket 74secured to the under side of the base by the screw 7 5 and heldaccurately in position by a pair of dowel pins 76 which enterappropriate o enings in the under side of the base.

. The rib on spools 72 and 73 have hollow centers and are passed oversupporting spindles 77 which project from bracket 74. The ribbon spoolsare provided respectively with oppositely acting ratchets 7 8 wherebythe winding direction of the ribbon may be reversed simply by shiftingthe winding appliance from one ratchet to the other. Such windingappliance is herein represented by a pawl 79 having a pin 80 at the freeend thereof arranged to enter the notches of the ratchets. The pawl isreciprocated by lever 81 pivoted at S2 to the ribbon bracket 74 andprovided'with a forked end 83 which straddles an actuating pin 84carried on and moved by the housing 19 of the impression arm shaft,whereby the ribbon spool is rotated aA fraction of a revolution uponeach operation of the impression arm. Pawl 7 9 is pivoted .to lever lSlat a point 85 which 'lies approximately midway between the axes of theribbon spools, whereby the direction of ribbon travel may be reversedsimply by swinging the pawl from engagement with one ratchet intoengagement with the other ratchet. The tension of the ribbon may beadjusted (to prevent over-travel, et cetera) ay varying' the frictionalpressure between the spool ends and friction washers 8G which liebetween the spool ends and the bracket 74. This frictional pressure maybe varied by thumb screws 87 at the ends of the shafts 77 which exert aresilient pressure (by means ofthe interposed curved leaf springs 89)against discs 88 contacting with the rolls of ribbon. By theforegoingmeans, not only the tension on the ribbon may be adjusted but thewinding spool may be sufliciently tightened to prevent any tendency forthe spool ratchet to oscillate back and forth under the action of thepawl. e

The machine is provided with means, represented by the stop 90 andadjustable guide 91 whereby the impression to be made may be properlycentered or located on the imprinted article, an envelope for example.The stop 90 is in the form of a longitudinally extending blade 92 whichis supported on rod 93 passing through a holder 94 (in this instancecast integrally with the shaft bearing 17). A thumb set-screw 95 isprovided to hold the stop in adjusted position to secure a transversecentering of the impression upon the article. The guide 91 is supportedfrom rod 93 by a swiveled clamp 96 which may be tightened and loosenedby the thumb screw 97. The end of the guide is 1ocated in properposition by shifting the rod longitudinally of the clamp and by pivotingthe clamp 9b' relative to the clamp 98 which connects it to rod93,-whereby the guide may be located to center or position the imlpression longitudinally of the article upon which the impression ismade.

The machine above described is constructed and arranged to makeimpressions upon any desired article or articles from successively andautomatically positioned printing plates. If the purchaser desires themachine simply for performing this primary function, it need not beequipped or sold to perform any additional functions. )While the machineis originally assembled simply to perform the above mentioned primaryfunction, it is constructed and arranged (by means of inconspicuous andinsignificant structural features) to receive or to be equippedv withsuch accessory mechanisms as are necessary to perform selectedadditional functions. However, the structural features necessary so ktoadapt the machine to receive such selected accessory mechanisms, arethemselves relatively insignificant both as regards their cost orconspicuousness and are, therefore, matters of no concern to thepurchaser of a machine operating with only the aforesaid primaryfunction. j

`Where it is desired to print directly from the plate upon the envelopeor other sheet positioned to receive the impressiony (and without theinterposed inking ribbon), the inking ribbon 08 is removed from theposition illustrated( in Fig. 3 and means are provided for inking theplates prior to the impression so that the impression maybe made by theplate directly' upon the paper. The impression thus made is unusuallyVclear out and appears (as it actually is) to have been printed directlyfrom type, thus avoiding the possibility of letter blurring or-ribbonsmearing.

The means which effects the above mentioned independentJ inking of theplates lis herein represented by a devicevk which applies ink totheplates inthe Vplatetrack prior to their advance to printing position.This illustrative device (see Figs. 6V and 7) consists of a resilientpressure pad orV platen 9K9 (of hard rubber, for example) which pressesan f, ink supplying surface against the printing surface of thecharacters on the plates. The ink supplying surface is hereinrepresented by an inking ribbon which advantageously may be the sameribbon 68 as was removed from the aforesaid printing position. Platen 99may (though it does not do'so in the present case) serve to make anotherseries of impressions (through the ribbon) just as platen 13 does in theregular printing position.

The pre-inking position in the present machine is located just beyondthe plate magazine, and the machine base isprovided with .a pairof slots101 (see F ig. 1) through whichl the ribbon Vmay be passed. To threadribbon through slots 101, it is necessary simply to unwind the ribbonfrom one `of the fribbon spools 72 0r 7 3, pass it throughthe slots andagain secure it to the ribbon spool. The same ribbonl spool bracket 74may be emi ployed, and this is transferred to pre-inking positionsimply'by removing screw 75 yandl shifting the bracket-so that the dowelpins 7 6 enter dowel pin holes-102 'in the basey casting. A screw hole103 is provided to receive screw 75. 'Theforked end 83 of the ribbonfeeding lever 81 is in this instance positioned to straddle pin 104projecting from a lug on7 the impression arm shaft housing 19. The

position. and arrangement of pin `104y islikethat of pin 84 eXceptthatit is longitudinally' spaced therefrom to register with the lever Y 8,1when the ribbon bracket is supported as i above described in pre-inkingposition.

rlhe position of the inking pad 99, the ribbon and ribbon bracket inpre-inking `position is shown in dotted lines lin Figs. 1 and 2.

- The inking pad holding arm 105 is pivotallyv supported.A at 106 to aremovable base 107 screwedv by screws 108 to the machine base. For thispurpose themachine base is proably supported upon the base bracket 112 i(integral with thebase 107 by an eccentric bearing pin 4113. Pawl isconnected with the impression arm 15 by a pin 114 .j

projecting from the impression arm and through a hole adjacent the endof the pawl. The other end of the pawl is provided with a ratchet pin orlroll 115 which engages the -ratchet recesses. The pawl is held inoperativegengagement with the Vratchet by a spring 116 connected at oneend through pin 117 with bracket y112 and at the other end through pin118 with the `pawl itself. Operative movements ofthe impressionv arm `15cause the pawl to rotate the ratchet cam 111, the teeth 119 of whichsuccessively engage the camv roll 120 projecting from arm 105 to depressthe latter and cause the inking pad to carry the inking ribboninto-inking contact with the underlying printing plate. As theoperating` tooth 119clears the cam roll 120, the inking arm 105 springsup (independently of impression arm 15) under the action of compressionspring 121 which is seated in recesses in the arm 105 and base 107. Thedegree of pressure exerted by the inking platen against the plate to inkthe latter maybe varied or adj usted' by rotating the eccentric-pin 113whose bearing surface in the bracket 112 iseccentric to the bearingsur-` face on which the cam ratchet 111 is mounted. The eccentric pin istightened in adjusted position by a nut 122 which exerts pressure.

After being pre-inked as above described, the linked `plates are carriedin successionV along the plate track to printing position, where theimpressionis made directly from the printing characters.

In adapting the machineto receive the appliances for pre-inking, it isnecessary to provide merely the three tapped holes 109 on the upper sideof the base, the two dowel holes 102, the screw hole 103 for the ribbonbracket 74, and the pin 104 for actuating the ribbon lever` 81. Amachine sold to the customer cartered if desired .by an appliance whichmay` be actuated to interrupt as occasion demands,

The opposite end 129 of the lever is the shifting or changing of theprinting plates with each koperation of the printing arm. For example,where it is desired to make more than one impression from a singleyprinting plate, the impression arm and pawl 63 'so that the latter willnotV depress the plunger r56. This relat-ive's'hifting is advantageouslyeffected by pivoting the pawl 63 at 1.43 on the impression arm (seeFigs. 3 and 9) whereby if the pawl is shifted on its pivot, theimpression arm may he lowered without any operative contact with plunger56 (as shown, for example, in Fig. 9). The pawl 63- is advantageouslycontrolled by a lever 124, onel end of which extends into convenientproximity with the operating handle of thecompression arm (Fig. 3).rllhe lever 124 is pivoted to the impression arm by a pivot shaft 126carried in bearing lugs 127 projecting above the impression arm. A setscrew 128 connects the pivot shaft with the leverv thereby preventingthe 'shaft from moving longitudinally and slipping out of a bearing.operatively conneeted with the pawl 63 by'a b ell crank lever 130pivoted to a pin 131 pro] ecting lfrom the impression arm and providedwith a transverselv ro ectine finger 132`which enu t3 J gages the lever.rlhe other end 133 of the bell crank lever engages a transverse pin134fon pawl 63, whereby upon a depression of the handle of lever 124,the pawl is moved out of operative alignment with plunger 56. So long asthe lever handle is thus depressed, the

f impression arm may be actuated without effecting any change of theprinting` plates. Thus any number of impressions may be made from asingle plate. )When it is desired to resume the successiveV changing ofthe printing plates, the lever is simply re# leased, whereuponv leafspring 135 returns the pawl to operative alignment with plunger 56.

For adapting the machine to receive the above described repeatingdevice, it is merely necessary, in this case, to provide the machinewith the pivot pin 131 and the bearing lugs 127. VThese elements areinconspicuous on the machine and represent only a negligible addition tothe cost of the machine. The re peating device requires no skill for itsapplication and involves simply the tightening of the single screw 128to attach it thereto. 1n this connection it will be noted that theengagement of the lever end 129 with bell crank 130 prevents the lat-terfrom slipping ofi' of its pivot pin 131.

If desired the machine may be equipped with acounting device 136 whichis screwed by screws 137 to the base 10 of the machine (see Fig. 10).The counter actuating arm 138 is operated by a lever 139 which isscrewed to the end of the impression arm shaft 16. The lever 139accordingly rocks with the movements of the impression arm, which areregistered in the connter136, thereby making it possible to record thenumber of impressions made by the impression arm. This is advantageousin order to ascertain the number of envelopes or the like which areimprinted by successive operations of the impression arm.A To adapt themachine toreceive a counting device of this character which may or maynot be desired by a customer, the base is provided with four threadedholes for screws 137 and the end of the shaft 116 has .a threaded holeby means of which the lever 139 is secured to the shaft.

The sequence of impressions may also be changed relative tothe order ofprinting plates by omitting an impression from any plate or plates. Thisis effected in the present machine by actuating the plate feeding devicewithout corresponding actuation of the impression arm. Thus any plate orplates may be assed beyond print-ing positien Vindependently of theoperation of the impression arm. Such an arrangement is advantageouswhere no impression is desired te be made from a given plate or plates.

The plate feeding mechanism is independently actuated for the abovepurpose by an auxiliary skip lever 140 (see Figs. 11 and 12) whichserves to oscillate the slide rock shaft 49 (see Figs. 4 and 5). Lever140 is pivoted to the machine by means of a bracket 141'- screwed to theunder side of the base by screws 142 andy carrying the lever pivot pin143. Intermediate its ends the lever is off-set to pass underneath theside skirt of the machine base (as illustrated in Fig. 11). The lever isconnected through a link 144 with a rock shaft 145 supported at one endin a bearing 146 in bracket 141 and at the other end in a bearing 147(in the shape of a hole) in the end of rock shaft 49. The opposite endsof the link 144 are bent at right angles thereto to form pivotconnections, one with the rock shaft arm 148 and the otherl with thelever 140 through a hole 149. Adjacent on extremity of the rack shaft145 is an arm 150 carrying `a lateral extension 151 which engages therock arm 50. A spring 152 connected to the base at 153 and to theoperating mechanism through a connection 154 with link 144, holds thelever 140 in elevated position, whereby the plate feeding mechanism maybe operated independently of lever 140 and without causing correspondingunnecessary movement of lever 140. ".Vhen it is desired to advance thecolumn to skip a plate as above described, it is merely necessary todepress the lever 140 at the appropriate time once for each-plate to beskipped.

l'ZO

Pf) i Y sides of pawl 63) skipping appliance, comprise a pair ofthreaded holes in the bosses 155,v the bearing hole 147 in the rockshaft 49 and a hole or any other appropriate means `for attaching oneend of spring 152.

The sequence of impressions may also be altered (relative to thearrangement of the Aprinting plates) by automatically making duplicate,triplicate or more impressions from each plate in succession. This mayb-e conveniently effected in this instance by controlling pawl 63 tomove it automatically into and out of register with plunger 56. Forexample, if it be desired to make duplicate impressions from each platein succession, the pawl 63 may be actuated to bring it alternate- Y lyinto and out of register with the plunger. For triplicate impressions itis brought into register only once in three downward movements of theimpression arm. y

The pawl 63 is thus automatically con trolled by ratchet cam 156 of adesign de pending upon the number of impressions it is desired to makevautomatically from each plate (Figs. 13-15). As illustrated, ratchetvcam 156 is designed to effect triplicate impressions. The cam issupported by a headed bearing pin 157 carried in a hole inimpres sionarm and secured there by theset screw. Between the cam and theimpression arm and secured to the former `by screws or pins 158 is aratchet 159 which serves to rotate cam 156 intermittently. The peripheryof the cam is provided with recurrino recesses 160 and 161, there beingin-this arrangement a pair of adjacent recesses 160 between each recess169. The recessed periphery of the cam engages pin 134- (which projectsfrom opposite and thereby controls the position of the "latter,depending vupon whether pin 134 moves into a deep recess 161 or ashallow recess 160. In the former instance the pawl is brought intoregister with .plunger 56 and in the latter instance it is moved andheld, out of register. Ratchet 159, which has one tooth and recessforeach of the recesses inthe cam 156, is intermit; tently rotated by apawl 162 pivotallysup ported in a removable bracket 163' on the machinebase. Upon the upward movement of f the impression arm, one ofthe pawlteeth 164 strikes the recess 165 in the end of pawl 162,

thereby effecting a partial rotation of the ratchet and cam through theangular distance separating an adjacent pair of cam recesses. Pawl 162pivoted at 166 bracket is resiliently held in a definite posi tion byspring 167 which holds the lower part 168 of the pawl in engagement witha stop 169 on the pawlbracket. This resilient mounting'enables thepawlto followthear@ cuate movement of a .ratchet toothy 164 as it travelswith the impression arm.

to its supporting both the pivot bracket and into an appropriatelythreaded` hole in the base. A pair of dowel pins 171 on the bracket andcorresponding openings in the skirt of the base, accurately position thebracket.

As stated above, the aforesaid cam 156 is .designed to eii'ecttriplicate impressions from each plate. Duplicate impressions may bemade by a cam such as that represented by ratchet cam 172 in which theshallow and deep recesses 173 an-d 174 alternate. (Fig. 15.)

The number of these recesses correspond with the number of teeth onratchet 159, thereby adapting the cam 172 to be used with ratchet 159 tosecure duplicate impressions. Obviously by appropriate positioning andarranging of the deep and shallow recesses, quadruplicate or moreimpressions may bek made. In practice it is not ordinarily desirable tomake more than three impressions from each plate.

As above indicated, to adapt it to receive the automatic attachmentabove described, the machine need be provided merely with holes forbearing pin 157 and its set screw and screw hole and dowel pin holes forsupporting bracket 163. Y

lf it be desired to make the successive impressions on a single sheet,strip of paper or the like, the machine may be equipped with a devicefor automatically feeding each sheet or strip to bring successiveportions thereof into printing position to receive the successiveimpressions. The feeding attachment is herein represented by a feedingroll 174 (see Figs. 16 and 17) which intermittently is rotated (in aclockwise direction, see Fig. ,17)

in contact with the sheet or strip to advance etween successiveyprinting operations.

This periodic rotation is effected, inthis instance, by a connecting rod175 pivoted at one end to. pin 176 projecting from the impression armandat its other end (by means ofa pin 177) to the clutch ring 178 of aball clutch 179 of ordinary design, the inner or clutch member 180 ofwhich is secured to roll shaft'181 by appropriate means such as a setscrew,-whereby the roll 174 may be rotated in one direction only. Thethrow of pivot pin 176is great enough to give the roll 174 adequaterotation to eect the maximum devsired advancement of the sheet. Areduction in this maximum advancement (to secure the desired spacing ofthey successive impressions) is eected in this instance by providisprovided with a sleeve'182 through which pin and the rod pass freely(see Fig. `17 Stops 183and 184, one or both of which arelongitudinallyadjustable on the rod, engage sleeve 182 in order to y may mostconveniently secure a reciprocation of the rod. By unscrewing stop 184,to permit movement of the sleeve 182 without a corresponding movement ofthe rod'17 5, the amplitude of'travel of the rod is varied, therebyvarying the degree of rotation of roll 174.

Shaft 181 which carries both the clutch and the roll is mounted insuitable bearings in a removable bracket 185 secured to the machine baseby a thumb screw 186 which enters a threaded hole in the base. Dowelpins 187 on the bracket enter corresponding dowel pin holes in Athe baseto locate the roll bracket accurately.

The feeding roll is advantageously used where it is desired to list anydesired sequence of impressions, on a sheet or strip, onel above theother, such, for example, as a payroll. The stop 184 is adjusted so thatthe impressions will fall in predetermined positions on the sheet. Asindicated above, to adapt the machine to receive the feeding or listingmechanism7 it is necessary to pro- `vide the machine simply with pivotpin 17 6,

threaded hole for vrthumb screw 186, and a pair of holes for dowel pins187.

1f desired to guide the sheet or strip above referred to by mechanicalmeans, this may be done by a paper guide in the form of a longitudinalblade 188 having projecting ngers 189 which slip under the sheet (Fig.18). The guide is supported upon an adjustable rod 190 passing through ahele in bracket 185 and secured therein in adjusted position by a thumbscrew 191. By means of the guide (properly adjusted) the series ofimpressions may be transversely centered or positioned on the sheet orstrip. If the customer desires to purchase a listing mechanism without aguide, he may do so with the assurance that the cost of thelistingmechanism contains no item relating to the guide itself. Thelisting bracket 185 is simply provided with a hole to receive the guiderod 190` thereby adapting it to support a guide if the purchaser desiredto use one.

If it be desired to list on one sheet an unusually large number ofimpressions, the sheetV (properly called a strip in such a case) besupplied in roll form from which it may be fed through the machine bythe feeding roll 174 (Figs. 16 and 17)'. For supporting such a roll inoperative relation to the listing mechanism, a bracket 1793 havingatransverse roll-supporting shaft 194 may be employed. The roll bracketis conveniently supported by and secured to bracket 185, bymeans of athumb screw 196 which passes through roll bracket extremity 197 into athreaded hole in the base of` bracket 185. The rod 198 transverselyprojecting from bracket 193 serves to direct the paperV toward the feedroll 17 4. Adjustable guide plates 199 supported on the roll shaft 194hold the strip roll properly aligned relative to the impressions to bemade thereon. Lateral adjustment of these guide plates is effected bythumb set screws 200. The adjustablecharactcristic of the guide platesalso permits the use of strip rolls of varying width. he ends of theguide plates are notched at 201 and straddle rod 198 whereby theirrotation with the strip roll is prevented.

A friction drag in the form of a strip of cloth or the like 202 isprovided for preventing` over-travel or excessive unwinding of the rollunder the impulses of feeding roll 174. rhis friction strip isadvantageously supported on a transversely extending rod 203 carried bybracket arm 193, and provides, merely by lying against a portion of theperiphery of the strip roll, suiicient friction to prevent objectionableunwinding or overtravel of the roll.

As indicated above the only structural element necessary to adapt thelisting mechanism to list upon a roll-ed strip, is the hole in thelisting bracket 185 which receives thumb screw 196. The feeding rollmechanism may, therefore, be employed without including a strip rolldevice.

Twilli-en the length of the list strip is unusually long, it may bewound automatically into roll form upon a roll shaft 204 projecting froma supporting bracket 205 (see Figs. 19 to 22). The bracket 205 issecured to the rear skirt of the machine base by a thumbl screw 20G atone end and by a pin 207 which enters the hole in holder 94 and issecured therein by thumb screw 95, the stop rod 93 having previouslybeen removed because its function is unnecessary when impressions aremade upon a strip( or the like.

The winding shaft 204 is periodically rotated in synchronism with themovements of the feeding roll 174 by a connection with the impressionarm, which likewise actuates the feeding roll. Such connection is inthis instance eifected by a link 208 pivoted at its lower end to an arm209 secured by a thumb screw 210 to the shield 19 above the impressionarm shaft. rfhe other extremity of link 208 is connected with a clutch211 which effects an intermittent rotation of the shaft 204 in acounter-clockwise direction. The clutch in this instance comprises afriction member in the form of a curved wire 212 which frictionallygrips a clutch roll 213 connectedto the winding roll 204.Intermedisuiiicient for all purposes )Vhere less Athanmaximum ,rotationis needed, the clutch Wire 212 merely slips over roll 213 vvhenthestrip. pa er becomes taut. l

uide arms 220 and 221 supported from a rod 222 projecting from bracket205 guide the strip of paperv properly on its Winding roll. Guide 220yextends horizontally just above the surface :of the machine. base andholds the Strip at a preper level.. `Guides 221 guide the st-ripVtransversely and are provided VWith setscreivs 223 whereby they may betransversely adjusted on rod 222 to the dimension and position ofthestrip. As indicated in Fig. 21 the strip passes underneath guide 220 andthence around the rollin a counterclockwise direction. The Winding rollis provided with a fastener-in the yform of a Wire 224 which 4liesagainst the periphery of the roll by means of Which the end of thestripis fastened tostart Winding. The Wire 224` is removably held in holes225 and 226 adjacent the ends of the Windingroll (Figs. 20 and 22).

If it be desired to arrange the strip carrying the successiveimpressions so that When runwound it presents the impressions in theorder in which the impressions Were made, it is necessary to rewind thestrip from roll 204. To effect this conveniently, a revvinding roll 226is provided for attachment to Winding roll bracket 205 (Figs. 21 and22). The rewinding roll 226 is carried by bracket 227 which is fastenedby means of a thumb screw 228 tov bracket 205. The revvinding roll isprovided with a hand crank Which may be operated to rewindL the rollWhen the end of the strip has been reached. A fastening Wire 230 similarto fastening Wirey 224 is employed to fasten the end of the strip on thekroll to start Winding. After the rewinding has been completed, the Wire230 may be removed, thus loosening the roll about the shaft 226 so thatY it maybel readily Withdrawn Without ,the

danger of telescoping the Wound roll.

To apply the Winding bracket 205 to the machine requires merely athreaded hole for thumb screw 206. lf the purchaser-desires merely theWinding roll bracket, he need not be obliged to take with it a rewindingroll.

The above described capacity of the machine yto operate with otherfunctions Without involving any substantial cost so to adapt it (Wherethe machine is not used or sold to perform any or all of such otherfunctions) contributes materially in simplifying production andinreducing cost of production. The machine need be built and assembledoriginally only With its` primary mechanism, thus avoiding the expenseof building or equipping a machine originally with capacities andoperative functions Which the purchaser may not require and which would,therefore, constitute no sales inducement for the purchase cause thelatter are absent.

of the machine at a price Whichvvould necessarily include the cost ofthe undesirable functions. Moreover, the purchaser pays only for What heWants and paysnothing for t-he features which he Wouldnot Want be-l Theymanufacturer saves by vnot including inthe machine or equipment costlymechanism which in a giveninstance does not or would not` assist inselling the machine. Thus, not only are production costs reduced but themachine has a `substantial sales advantage in that its cost tothe'purchaser does not include any surplus or undesired mechanism.- j lkObviously the inventiony is not limited to the detailsv of theillustrativey construction herein shown and described, since 'these maybe variously modified. Moreover, it isnot indispensable that allfeatures of the invention be used conj ointly since various features maybe advantageously employed in different combinations andsub-combinations- Having described one embodiment of my invention, Iclaim: l 1 lj. In a machine for making impressions from a series ofprinting plates'the combinaV- tion comprising an impression device,means for successivelypresentingprinting plates to said impressiondevice, inkingmeans for supplying ink to said plates, and meansV onvsaid machine for operativelysupporting said inking means to ink theplates either at or in advance of impression position, lsaid Vinkiirgmeans being constructed and arranged to be placed and operated in eitherof such positions.

from a series of printing plates the combination'comprising animpression device7 means for successively presenting printing plates Vtosaid impressionfdevice, an inking ribbon for supplying ink to said`plates, and means on said machine for operatively supporting said inkingribbon to ink the plates either at or in advance ofv impressionposition, said inking ribbon' having supportingmeans. constructed andarranged to enable it to be placed in either of such positions,-Wherebythe machine may be operated to make impressions throughy said ribbonordirectly from said printing plates.

l3. ln a machine of the character described the Icombination comprisingan impression device, mechanism for automatically successivelypresenting to said impression device av kseries of printing plates fromwhich a suc` l ao

